Who we are and what this policy covers
Pawsitively Service Dogs Inc. provides ethical, evidence-informed training and pet care services in Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Our services include:
- Service dog programs and owner-trainer support;
- Pet training, socialization, and obedience training;
- Group classes;
- In-person and virtual consultations; and
- Dog walking services in British Columbia.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information through www.pawsitivelyservicedogs.ca and in connection with enquiries and services arranged through the website.
Bookings and payments are completed through Square's platform. Square's own privacy terms apply to information you provide directly to Square.
This policy does not create user accounts or member areas. Our website does not have user logins.
Information we collect
Information you provide to us
When you email or call us with an enquiry, we may collect:
- Your name;
- Your email address;
- Your phone number;
- Your dog's name and age;
- The service you are interested in; and
- Any information included in your message.
When you email or call us, we receive the information you choose to provide. The website itself does not store your email or phone conversations.
Booking information
Bookings and payments are made through Square. You provide your booking and payment information directly to Square, and Square's privacy terms apply to that information.
We receive the booking and client details needed to schedule and provide the service, communicate with you, and manage our business records.
Information collected automatically
When you visit our website, Google Analytics may collect information through cookies and similar technologies, including:
- Your approximate location;
- Your device and browser information;
- The pages you view; and
- How you arrived at the website.
We use this information in aggregate to understand website use and improve its performance. We do not use Google Analytics for the purpose of identifying you personally.
How we use personal information
We use personal information for reasonable business and service-related purposes, including to:
- Respond to enquiries;
- Arrange training, consultations, classes, dog walking, or other services;
- Deliver and manage services you book;
- Keep records of your dog's training progress and history;
- Send information you have requested;
- Understand and improve website performance;
- Communicate with you about your services or enquiry;
- Maintain appropriate business records; and
- Meet legal, accounting, insurance, and other applicable obligations.
We do not maintain a mailing list or newsletter.
Cookies and analytics
Cookies are small files stored by your browser. They help websites remember information or understand how visitors use them.
We use Google Analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our website. You can control or block cookies through your browser settings. Google also provides tools that may allow you to opt out of Google Analytics.
If you block cookies, you can still read and use the informational portions of our website.
Who we share personal information with
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information.
We may share personal information with service providers that help us operate our business and provide services, including:
- Square, for booking and payment processing;
- Google, for website analytics;
- Microsoft, for virtual consultations through Microsoft Teams; and
- Our email and website hosting providers.
These service providers have their own privacy terms and obligations. We disclose information to them only as reasonably needed for the services they provide to us.
We may also disclose personal information where required or permitted by law, including to comply with a legal obligation, court order, or lawful request.
Storage and processing outside Canada
Some service providers we use—including Square, Google, Microsoft, and our email and website hosting providers—may store or process information outside Canada, including in the United States.
Information stored or processed outside Canada may be accessible to courts, law enforcement agencies, regulators, or other authorities under the laws of those countries.
Privacy laws in another country may provide different protections from Canadian privacy laws.
How long we keep personal information
We keep personal information only as long as reasonably needed for the purposes described in this policy, subject to legal, contractual, accounting, and business requirements.
In general:
- We keep enquiry messages as long as needed to respond and for a reasonable record of our correspondence;
- We keep training and client records for the duration of your involvement with us and afterwards as needed for our records and legal obligations; and
- Analytics information is retained according to the applicable Google Analytics settings.
Some records may need to be retained even after you withdraw consent or stop using our services.
Your rights and choices
Depending on the law that applies to your information and the activity involved, you may have the right to:
- Ask whether we hold personal information about you;
- Request access to personal information we hold about you;
- Ask us to correct information that is inaccurate or incomplete;
- Ask questions about how we collect, use, store, or disclose personal information;
- Withdraw consent for optional uses, such as analytics or being contacted; and
- Make a privacy complaint.
To request access or correction, contact us using the information in the Accountability and contact information section below.
We will respond to an access or correction request within 30 days, subject to applicable legal exceptions and any permitted extension. We may need additional information to confirm your identity and locate the relevant records.
We may not be able to provide certain information where an exception applies or where we have a legal or contractual reason to retain or withhold it. If we cannot fulfil a request, we will explain the reason where permitted by law.
Applicable privacy laws
Pawsitively Service Dogs Inc. operates in Nova Scotia and British Columbia. The privacy law that applies may depend on the nature of the activity, the location involved, and where information is stored or transferred.
Depending on the circumstances:
- The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) may apply to commercial activities, including certain interprovincial or international information transfers;
- A federally regulated organization is generally subject to PIPEDA, including where a substantially similar provincial law would not apply to its activities;
- Private-sector activities in British Columbia may be subject to British Columbia's Personal Information Protection Act; and
- Nova Scotia privacy rules may also apply, including rules relevant to particular types of information or activities.
More than one privacy law may apply to different activities. We will handle personal information in accordance with the law that applies to the circumstances.
Consent
We collect, use, and disclose personal information with your consent. Consent may be express or implied, depending on the circumstances and the sensitivity of the information involved.
For example, when you send us an enquiry by email or phone, you consent to our collecting and using the information needed to respond to you and arrange services.
You may withdraw consent for optional uses, such as analytics or being contacted, at any time by contacting us. Withdrawal of consent does not affect information that we must keep for legal, accounting, contractual, safety, or other legitimate business reasons.
Withdrawing consent may also affect our ability to provide a requested service or respond to an enquiry.
Accountability and contact information
Melanie Burneau, Owner & Head Trainer, is accountable for how Pawsitively Service Dogs Inc. handles personal information.
For privacy questions, access requests, correction requests, or consent questions, please contact us:
Nova Scotia Head Office
Pawsitively Service Dogs Inc.
Halifax Regional Municipality
Visits by appointment only
Phone: 902-489-9219
Email: melanie@pawsitivelyservicedogs.ca
Please include enough information for us to understand your request. We may ask you to verify your identity before providing access to personal information.
Complaints and escalation
If you have a concern about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us first using the contact information above. We will review the concern and respond appropriately.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
Depending on the circumstances and the law that applies, you may also have the right to contact the applicable provincial privacy regulator.
Children's privacy
Our website is intended for adults arranging training, consultations, dog walking, or other services.
We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, please contact us so we can review the situation.
Security and breach notification
We take reasonable measures to protect the personal information we hold against loss, unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or alteration.
However, no method of transmitting or storing information over the internet is completely secure. We cannot guarantee the security of information transmitted to or through the website.
If we experience a privacy breach involving personal information under our control, we will assess and respond in accordance with the privacy laws that apply. Where required under PIPEDA, this may include:
- Reporting the breach to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada when it poses a real risk of significant harm;
- Notifying affected individuals as required;
- Notifying other organizations or authorities where appropriate; and
- Keeping records of the breach as required by law.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our services, technology, privacy practices, or legal obligations.
When we make a change, we will update the effective date at the top of this policy. The updated policy will apply from its effective date onward.